After the Offers: Making University Decisions

We want to congratulate our G12  students. Many of our students have recently received admissions decisions from US universities. We are proud of our students, not just for their results, but the hard work they put into their applications!   As the deposit deadline for US universities is May 1, students hoping to go to America will need to make a deposit at the university of their choice by then. Here are some tips we have provided for G12 students as they make the important decision of where to enroll. 

Dear Grade 12 students,

Now that you have received university decisions, you have the opportunity to consider your options! Now the admission tables are turned, and universities are vying for your attention and hoping that you will choose to enroll in their institution. Here are a few reminders for you to consider:
 
1. Get to know schools: Many universities are currently visiting Taiwan and hosting in-person or online events for admitted students. Take advantage of these opportunities to get to know schools better. This can help you get a better sense of the campus culture, the facilities, and the overall atmosphere.

2. Weigh your options: Consider all of the factors that are important to you, such as location, academic programs, extracurricular activities, and social life. Think about what you want to get out of your college experience and which university will best help you achieve your goals. When making financial decisions, you should remember to compare the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, other expenses, as well as any scholarships that you were awarded.

3. Accept or decline offers: Once you've made your decision, it's time to either accept or decline your offers of admission and choose one school to enroll in. Most colleges require a non-refundable deposit by May 1, but some schools may have different deadlines. Don't miss the deposit deadline, as it could result in the loss of your spot in the incoming class. If you are still unsure of where to enroll by May 1, please make an appointment to discuss with the college counselor! 

4. Seriously, Don't Miss the Deposit Deadline! Once you have submitted your deposit, make sure to notify the other schools that you will not be attending. This allows them to offer your spot to another student who may be on the waitlist.

5. Apply Yourself in School: Finally, remember that you still have a few months of high school left, and make the most of it. Don't let senioritis get the best of you! Stay focused and continue to do well in your classes. Your final transcript and high school diploma will be sent to your university, so ensure that you still have good standing at VIS.

If you find yourself on a waitlist for a school you are considering, here are some reminders to keep in mind:

1. Don't give up hope: Being placed on a waitlist doesn't necessarily mean you won't get accepted. Universities are often making a careful balance to ensure they have just the right number of enrolled students. Some schools may release admission offers first, wait to see how many students decide to enroll, and then continue to fill their class from applicants on the waitlist. This ensures that they have the right number of enrolled students and they don't over-enroll a class. How many spots a university moves on the waiting list will depend year-to-year.

2. Stay in contact with the admissions office: Some schools may allow you to send additional materials or updates to your application while you are on the waitlist. Prepare another love letter. Let the school know if you would enroll if admitted from the waitlist. Let them know what amazing things that you've been up to in PBL or your own research, and why you deserve to be admitted. 

3. Consider your other options: While waiting to hear back from the school, it's important to continue exploring your other options. The waitlist process can be unpredictable and it's hard to know when or if you'll hear back from the school. Be patient with yourself. Keep in mind the other schools you have been accepted to and focus on your other plans in the meantime.

4. Make a decision when the time comes: If you do end up getting accepted off the waitlist, you will need to make a decision relatively quickly. Make sure to weigh your options carefully. However, if you still don't hear back from a waitlist school, you might want to deposit at one of your other admitted schools to ensure you do not lose a place in the incoming class. If the May 1 deadline is approaching and you are still unsure of what to do or where to enroll, please make sure you talk to your college counselor and other people in your support network! 

Either way, looking forward to chatting with you to find out where you are in the admissions process.

Ms. Rosalyn Shih
College Counselor
 

收到大學錄取通知後，該如何做決策

要恭喜VIS的G12同學！許多同學都陸續收到美國大學的錄取結果通知信。我們為學生感到相當驕傲，不僅因為各位的成績，同時也因為大家在申請過程中所付出的努力！由於美國大學學費訂金繳納截止日為五月一日，欲前往美國的同學需要在此之前繳交訂金給他們所選擇的大學。以下是我們為G12同學提供的一些提示，以幫助各位做出重要的錄取決定。
 

親愛的G12同學們大家好，

已經收到了錄取結果的同學，請把握機會好好考慮各種選項！選擇權換到你手中，輪到各大學爭相要吸引你、期待你加入他們。請務必把握以下幾個考慮的要點：

1. 多認識學校: 很多學校為了招生，都會派人參訪台灣並舉行實體或是線上的活動，請利用機會更深入地認識學校，你會更瞭解校園文化、設施以及整體氛圍。

2. 仔細衡量各種選擇: 請多方考量，找出自己最在意的重點，像是學校地點、可選讀的系所、課外活動及社交活動。想想自己最希望獲得的大學經驗是什麼，而哪所學校最可能協助你達成目標。當你作出最終決定時，也請記得要比較學習成本，包括學費、住宿、各項花費、以及各種你可以申請的獎學金。

3. 接受或拒絕錄取: 作出決定後，就要寄出接受或是拒絕的回覆給錄取你的學校，選擇一所學校註冊。大部分的學校都要求學生在五月一日前繳交訂金，且訂金無法退還。但有些學校的截止日可能不同，請別錯過截止日，否則就會失去資格。如果在五月一日前你無法決定，請盡快與升學輔導老師約時間面談！

 4.很重要！絕對別錯過訂金繳納截止日！繳交訂金後，請務必通知其他學校你不會去報到了，他們就可以通知候補名單上的其他學生。

 5. 積極完成剩下學業: 請記住，你的高中學期還剩下幾個月，請好好利用，別讓畢業倦怠症拖垮自己，請專心好好地把課上完，最後的成績和高中畢業證書才會寄到大學，請務必在 VIS 好好表現。

如果你想念的大學將你放在候補名單上，請記住以下重點：

1. 別放棄希望: 排在候補名單上並不表示你完全沒有機會錄取了，大學通常會想辦法管控最終註冊的學生名額，有些學校會先釋出部份錄取名單，看看有多少學生決定要報名，下一批再將候補名單學生放進來，這樣才能維持報名學生的正確名額，避免人數過多。但是，大學每年候補名單會補多少名額都不固定。

2. 請和招生辦事處保持聯繫: 如果你在候補名單上，有些學校會開放讓你新增補充資料、更新申請文件。請好好把握、積極送件，讓學校知道如果他們將你候補上來，你有註冊的意願。可以讓學校知道你在 PBL 或是其他研究作業上的好表現，讓學校知道你有能力上這所學校。

3. 考慮其他選項: 在等待結果時，考量其他選項也很重要，候補過程可能不好預測結果、也不容易知道什麼時候學校會有回音。請保持耐性，在此同時也要把注意力放在已經通知錄取你的學校上。

4. 時間到了就得決定: 如果你真的候補上了，就要快點做決定。請一定要慎重考慮。如果候補的學校沒有回應，就要從其他錄取你的學校中選一所，繳交訂金，確保自己能上大學。如果在五月一日前你無法決定，請與大學升學輔導老師和其他可以提供協助的人談談！

不管你收到的結果是哪種，我都很期待與你面談，了解你在申請過程中所需要的協助。

Ms. Rosalyn Shih
升學輔導老師